Throughout the afternoon, Burrell was trailed by friend and fellow UConn star Ray Allen, who was walking the course with a boot on his right foot after surgery on his ankle.

"I'm with my guy," Allen said at the driving range.

But Burrell didn't have too much to worry about.

With the biggest crowd of the Pro-Am watching his group, which also included Ahmad Rashad and tour proJ.B. Holmes, Burrell hit a blistering drive into the middle of the fairway and then narrowly missed a birdie putt just to the left of the hole to open his round.

"I just look to have fun out here," Burrell said. "I'm playing with great guys and I'm just trying to have fun. ... I just got to stay focused and keep my hands dry. That's all I got to do."

Much like Burrell, former New England Patriots great Andre Tippett had no problem with the heat. He was more worried about his caddie, a local teenager helping carry the bag.

"I just got to pace myself and keep a lot of fluids in me," Tippett said. "I'm worried about my caddy. I just want to make sure she's OK. Her parents entrusted her to me. So that's my big job."

Still, Tippett didn't let much dampen his mood Wednesday.

"I just want to play some good golf and watch the pros," Tippett said. "Those guys are good and this is a game I enjoy playing and I'll take whatever I can pick up from them. Just seeing guys from afar is good enough for me."